First Alaska-Class Tanker delivered to BP Oil

Sea Power, Oct 2004

The National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. - a General Dynamics company - has delivered the first of four Alaska-class double-hull oil tankers being built for BP Oil Shipping Co. USA.

The 941-foot-long Alaska Frontier can carry 1.3 million barrels of oil. The ship's hull is designed for a life of 35 years. The diesel-electric propulsion plant features redundant engines, shafts and screws to reduce maintenance down-time. The ship is designed to reduce the possibility of oil leaks by using sea water instead of oil to cool and lubricate propeller shafts, and to reduce minor spills by use of piping internal to the cargo tanks.

The four Alaska-class tankers - all of which will be delivered by 2006 - will be operated by Alaska Tanker Co., of Beaverton, Ore., to transport crude oil from Alaska to West Coast ports.